Executive Director's Report

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR STEVE HEMINGER’S REPORT TO THE
COMMISSION MEETING OF APRIL 28, 2010

SUMMARY OF EVENTS:

Northern California Megaregion Summit
Oakland, March 26

I participated in a panel discussion with my former national commission colleague, BNSF Railroad CEO Matt Rose, on the importance of the Port of Oakland and goods movement to the region’s economy.

SB 375 Workshop
Los Angeles, April 6

This was the latest in a series of information exchanges involving the MPOs representing the four largest metropolitan areas in California as we confront the challenge of implementing SB 375 and its climate change planning requirements.

California High Speed Rail Authority
San Jose, April 8

The California High Speed Rail Authority recently received a preliminary alternatives analysis report from its staff and consultants on the San Francisco-San Jose segment of the proposed statewide rail service. The preliminary analysis includes a number of key findings: (1) the Caltrain corridor is the preferred alignment; (2) San Francisco should have a joint terminal solution featuring the proposed Transbay Transit Center and the current 4th and King Caltrain station; (3) there should be limited use of high berms in commercial or residential areas along the peninsula, and tunnel options should be explored in certain locations; (4) a potential Mountain View station should be considered in addition to Redwood City, Palo Alto and SFO; and (5) terminating the statewide service in San Jose does not meet the requirements of Proposition 1A.

BATA Rating Agency Presentations
San Francisco, April 14-16

CFO Brian Mayhew and I briefed the major credit rating agencies over the course of three days on the status of the toll bridge seismic retrofit program and the Bay Area Toll Authority’s plan for up to $4 billion in debt financing through the end of 2010 to complete our plan of finance for the current bridge and transit construction programs funded by toll bridge revenue.

ABAG General Assembly
Oakland, April 22

The four regional agencies co-hosted the ABAG General Assembly which doubled as a kick-off event for local government officials in the Bay Area’s efforts to implement SB 375. Several MTC commissioners played prominent roles in the event, including Commissioners Bates, Cortese, Kinsey, Spering and Yeager in person and Commissioners Haggerty, Mackenzie and Tissier in starring video roles. We also used this event to launch the “One Bay Area” initiative as a way to wrap a single memorable label around the many disparate strands of work that will comprise the region’s Sustainable Community Strategy.

Map of the Month

The map of the month shows the overall walkability of the Bay Area based on proximity to points of interest (POIs). POI categories considered for the analysis included educational institutions and libraries, health services, parks, retail, dining and entertainment. The walkability index was then created based on how many POIs could be found within 1 mile of any given street intersection.

• Walkability Index (PDF)

MTC Operational Statistics

The monthly report on the performance of MTC’s operating programs:

• MTC Operational Statistics (PDF)

Upcoming Events

May 4-5 — Silicon Valley Leadership Group Advocacy Trip, Washington, DC
May 11 — SB 375 Workshop, Sacramento
May 13 — Bike to Work Day
May 18-20 — BATA Investor Meetings, London